Religion and Parish News
National Prayer Campaign for the gift of rain, for people affected by drought, for support services.
Eternal God,
In wisdom and love
you created our earth
to sustain us and give us life.
We turn to you now
in faith, hope and love,
asking you to look with favour
on our drought-stricken land,
on our starving animals,
on our failing crops.
Strengthen, sustain and give new heart
to our farmers
and to all who are affected by drought;
be with those who support them.
In your loving providence,
send abundant rain
and restore our parched earth.
Father of all compassion,
hear our prayer
through Jesus Christ your Son,
in whom the promise of new life
has dawned, and
through the power
of the Holy Spirit,
the Lord the giver of life:
Renew your faithful people;
Renew the face of the earth.
Our Lady of the Southern Cross,
Mary, help of Christians –
Pray for us.
St Mary of the Cross MacKillop –
Pray for us.
Mission Week Wrap-Up
As you would have read in previous Term 4 newsletters, Pope Francis called for October to be an Extraordinary Missionary Month, which was to be a worldwide occasion of prayer, sharing stories of mission, formation and charity.
Throughout Weeks 2, 3 and 4, our students participated in lessons about mission and made strong fundraising efforts, despite the tough financial conditions many people in our hometown are facing themselves. In just the 3 weeks of fundraising, close to $400 was raised for Catholic Mission, who will use this money to help support the people of Ghana. On top of this, St Xavier’s will be hosting their biennial ‘Lap-a-thon’, with those funds also contributing to our fundraising efforts for Catholic Mission. More information about the ‘Lap-a-thon’ will come out later in the term as Primary Sport draws to a close.
Sacrament of Confirmation
On the 3rd of November, 37 candidates from St Xavier’s and other Gunnedah schools made their Sacrament of Confirmation. Mrs Jaeger and Mr Thurbon did a wonderful job preparing the candidates from St Xavier’s and all candidates should be very proud of the way they conducted themselves, both on their Retreat Day and at Confirmation Mass. Bishop Michael Kennedy was very impressed with the reverence displayed by the candidates and with how much knowledge they had of the Sacrament of Confirmation. A special mention, and a huge thank you goes to Melinda Honeysett and Paddy Paul who volunteered their time by helping with the BBQ duties at the Confirmation Retreat Day.
Primary Mass
At 9:30am on Thursday 21st of November, St Xavier’s will be attending a Primary Mass at St Joseph’s Church. Year 4 are organising the Mass, and would love for anyone in the St Xavier’s community to join us, regardless of whether you’re a parent of a primary student or not!
Infants Liturgy
On Thursday in Week 7, the Infants students and staff will be attending a Liturgy at midday at St Joseph’s Church. As with the Primary Mass, all members of the St Xavier’s community are welcome to attend. The Kindergarten teachers have done a great job preparing the Liturgy, and will have some very keen readers, no doubt!
RE Key Dates Term 4
Thursday Week 6 - Primary Mass in St Joseph’s Church at 9:30 am.
Thursday Week 7 - Infants Liturgy in St Joseph’s Church at 12.00 pm.
Tuesday Week 8 - End of Year Mass in St Joseph’s Church at 9:30 am (Feast of St Francis Xavier)
Thursday Week 9 - Year 6 Graduation Mass in St Joseph’s Church at 5:30 pm, followed by Year 6 Farewell at St Xavier’s School Hall at 7.00 pm.
St Joseph's Altar Servers
Saturday 16 November 6.00 pm - Mitchell Herden, Josie Naismith, Cooper and Lucas Blair
Sunday 17 November 8.30 am - Tom, Daisy and Holly Sheedy
Saturday 23 November 6.00 pm - Lily Jolliffe, Zoe Law, Vitorio and Lucas Sardinha
Sunday 24 November 8.30 am- Olivia Bennett, Jedd Smallwood, Lachlan Gurney